Trajectories of Psychopathology in Response to NET (TOP-NET)

University of Konstanz

Status: Completed

Conditions: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Treatments: Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02852616

ERC-2012-AdG 323977 NET-Course

Details and patient eligibility

About

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) has been proven to be effective in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related depression in more than a dozen controlled clinical trials. Symptom reduction was greatest during long-term follow-ups after the completion of the therapy.

In the current study, we will investigate the progression of PTSD symptoms and emotional stress before, during and after therapy. After a semi-structured interview all participants will be asked to report in monthly telephone interviews their core symptoms. Structured interviews after 6 and 12 months are used to validate the outcome. A convenience sample of individuals with a PTSD will be offered participation in the study.

Full description

Participants will be recruited through the Center of Excellence for Psychotraumatology, University of Konstanz, with focus on refugees. All of them (approx. 100) will receive a structured interview and a detailed diagnosis. The interview includes questions about sociodemography, traumatic events, PTSD and depression symptomatology. Individuals with a PTSD diagnosis (up to 30) will be offered a Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET).

Irrespective of treatment and diagnosis, respondents are asked to participate in monthly telephone interviews assessing trauma-related and emotional distress and changes in life. Interviews assessing PTSD, depression symptoms and emotional distress will be conducted 6 and 12 months after the initial interview.

In addition, participants receiving NET will rate their PTSD symptoms and functionality prior to each therapy session.

Enrollment: 85 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 12+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• For treatment group: PTSD diagnosis (DSM-IV or V)
• For non-treatment group: none

Exclusion criteria

• Acute psychosis
• Cerebro-organic disease
• Acute drug or alcohol intoxication
• Already receiving another psychotherapy
• Anti-epileptic drugs at baseline

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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85 participants in 2 patient groups

Narrative Exposure Therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants with a PTSD diagnosis

Treatment:

Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy

no / standard treatment

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants with a PTSD diagnosis / other mental health problems / no mental health problems